Kessler's Gudgeon

Kessler's gudgeon ( Romanogobio kesslerii )

Kessler's gudgeon ( Romanogobio kesslerii ) is a small freshwater fish from the carp family (Cyprinidae ), which occurs in Eastern Europe in the basin of the Dniester, the lower and middle Danube and the upper Vistula.

Features

Kessler's gudgeon is about 10 to 12, maximum to 15 cm long. The body height is 14 to 21% of standard length. Like all gudgeons he has an elongated body that is covered with relatively large scales. The head is long, the snout pointed, the muzzle at all times. At the rear upper jaw there is a long Bartel, going back down to the posterior border of the eyes. The pharyngeal teeth are in two rows: inner row 5 teeth, outer row 3, rarely 2 teeth ( pharyngeal teeth formula: ((2) 3.5-5.3 (2))). The eye diameter is 20 to 28% of head length. The back is blackish colored, the sides of the body pale whitish with some big, blurry spots along the lateral line and the belly. On the dorsal and caudal fin, there are one to three rows of small dark spots.

• Fins formula: Dorsal iii / 8 ½, Anal ii / 6 ½.
• Dandruff formula: SL 40-43/3-4/12

Way of life

Kessler's gudgeon inhabits fast-flowing rivers and streams ( grayling and trout region ) with a sandy bottom, is gregarious and diurnal. It feeds on various ground-dwelling and drifting invertebrates ( worms, insects, larvae, crustaceans) and algae. The spawning season lasts from April to June. Males get a weak tuberculate. Eggs are laid in shallow, flowing water between stones or plants. Compared to polluted water, he is very sensitive.

System

Kessler's gudgeon heard within the carp fish in the subfamily of Gründlingsverwandten ( Gobioninae ) and in the genus Romanogobio, belong to the Eastern European and Asian Gründlingsarten. A occurring in Romanian waters Gründlingspopulation that was formerly classed as a subspecies R. banaticus k, is now regarded as a separate species ( Romanogobio banaticus ).